History

McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation

Is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization open for public benefit. The museum is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the historical, cultural, and artistic heritage of the McPherson community.

Our Collection

Natural history: Ice Age Fossils, Crystals, Prehistoric Fossils, Meteorites, Taxidermy

Sports Memorabilia: Globe Refiners (First Basketball Team to Win Gold at Olympics), McPherson Sports History

Cultural Artifacts: Native American Stone Tools, Bone Tools, Points, Pottery; Chinese Artifacts; African Artifacts

History: Large Artifacts, Small Artifacts, Documents, Photographs, Textiles

Fine Art: Lithographs and Paintings of Artist Birger Sandzen; Historical Paintings from Various Artists

Model Train Exhibit: Detailed Model Trains curated by Mid Kansas Model Railroaders

Summary

The McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation originated in 1890 as the McPherson College Museum.

The Museum moved to the Vaniman Home in 1968 and partnered with the City.

The McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation was formed in 1984 and took over ownership of the museum in 1998.

The Cedars donated the Cedars Courts property to the museum in 2002.

The Museum decided to use the Cedars property and build a new facility in 2010.

Construction began in 2012 and by 2013 the new facility was open to the public.

Timeline

1890-1894       College Museum housed in old Fahnestock Hall

1894-1907       Collection housed in Sharp Hall

1907 -1922      Collection housed in the Carnegie Library basement

1922-1967       Collection located on the 4th floor of Harnly Hall

1967                Jacob and Katie Strausz of Moundridge donated their collection of farm tools and pioneer

                        household items to the city of McPherson to be displayed in a permanent location.

1968                City and College talked about location of Strauz collection and college artifacts. The former

                        Vaniman Home was empty so became the McPherson City-College Museum.

1968                Items moved from the college to the museum

1969- 1984     McPherson City/McPherson College Museum

1984                The McPherson Museum Arts Foundation was formed

1997                City purchases the Vaniman home from McPherson College

1998                McPherson Museum Foundation took over management from city and college

2002                The Cedars, Inc. offers the MMAF a donation of the Cedars Courts property located on E. Kansas Ave.

2010                The MMAF decides to build a new facility at the Kansas Avenue property

2012                Groundbreaking for the new Museum facility takes place

2013                The new MMAF facility open to the public the weekend after Thanksgiving

2013                USD 418 Fine Arts Collection housed in the Norene Catron Ketcherside Gallery of Fine Arts

2013                The Mid Kansas Model Railroad Club opens up a model railroad exhibit

2014-Present  MMAF continues to work towards expanding and installing new exhibits

Annual Fundraisers